Aces & Ates | Big Boss Brewing

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SRM 26-30 is a luscious dark chocolate. Poured into a Dogfish Head snifter, it turns black in the glass. A velvety, dark chestnut head reaches a quarter inch before quickly settling to a thin veil. A thick, viscous film clings for minutes while wispy rings reside above.

Malted chocolate is strong, quickly followed by roasted molasses and coffee. Dates and figs are discernible behind a powerful chocolate syrup in the middle. Bittersweet chocolate brings up the end.

The flavor opens sweet before turning bitter. Coffee takes a front seat over the chocolate while an odd, light melon flavor lingers in the background. A light, quick finish of raisins lasts a moment to be followed by lingering bitterness.

Alcohol is less than expected. A velvety texture adds to the light to medium body. Carbonation is light.

This is a nice, enjoyable and relaxing beer; however, it lacks the power typically anticipated from this style. I enjoyed it with a pungent bleu cheese that brought out its sweetness.

A - Pours a nice dark brown porter like hue with a nice one finger mocha head that fades to leave a thin thin blanket and light cloud. Solid.

S - Uhh..what? I get no coffee whatsoever on the nose. Light alcohol and metallic notes, a really weird lightly minty note and well, a ceramic pot kind of thing going on. Maybe slightly spoiled...just a mess of weird off aromas that I cannot find the right words to describe. Maybe some vegetative stuff too...

T - Taste is well, average. Those weird, strange aromas are fortunately not in the taste. I get light bakers chocolate, faint older coffee. Sweet black watered down coffee. Lightly bitter on the finish. Pretty average 1-2 punch going on.

M - Mouthfeel is not nearly as creamy as I would like for the style. Somewhat watery, alcohol is hidden though.

O - Overall, this beer was okay. As average as everything was that nose was just awful. Lots of weird off aromas going on here, glad it didn't taste like it but still, pretty meh.

Appearance: my fiance refers to this as "the espresso of beers" partially because of its dark, dark coloration. It's almost pitch black, with a lovely tan head, and almost perfect lacing as you drink it in.

Smell: I love beer, and I love coffee...and this American stout has both. It has the aroma of a yummy, sweet, alcohol-infused mocha latte. If that doesn't convince you that you should try it, I don't know what else will.

Taste: This is a fantastic stout that leaves nothing to be desired (except maybe another round or two.) Big Boss has found the perfect formula for a fusion of coffee and beer, and it's working quite well here. This stout is sweet, but not too sweet, and it leaves a slightly sweet, bitter bite in its aftertaste, just like a satisfying cup o'joe.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, but not too creamy, this beer is full and smooth while remaining completely drinkable.

Overall: This is my favorite from Big Boss. The smell, taste, appearance, and mouthfeel all contribute to a satisfying beer-drinking experience. It hides its 8% abv very well.